By Allan Stevenson

I have been infatuated with pigeons since my schooldays back in the 1950s starting as usual with a few strays which eventually built up until the lads in my village were guided into the sport of racing on a Sunday with the usual Station Master liberations. Most of us played either football or cricket on a Saturday so we always basketed on a Saturday evening. I was of course Secretary/Treasurer and although I say it myself we managed to get a healthy little club going. I moved on through the years and for the past 15 have been Secretary to one of the larger Federations in the Up North Combine as well as my local club. I have become a little disillusioned because the commercial side of the sport seems to be taking over, fewer fanciers, more birds and more medication seems to be the present trend.

Socially my wife and myself have joined a group of fanciers visiting Belgium and go to the usual places, i.e. Leir Market and The Natural Breeding Centre. In 2002 we incorporated into this trip a visit to the Spring Fair at Utrecht in the Netherlands. Whilst there I was drawn to the behaviour of a Pouter of some strain, which reacted to my every motion and voice. I admit to passing this display on two or three occasions just to see him dancing on his pedestal. I mentioned this to my wife and thought no more about it.

The following December I reached my 61st birthday and my daughter arrived from the East Midlands with my present, two large boxes were produced which contained a pair of white Pomeranian Pouters purchased from Andy Lowe of West Bridgeford. Just what I needed, nowhere to keep them and numerous questions to ask, how do they perch up with muffs like that? how do you keep them clean? are they any good? are they off the same pair? will they be suitable to pair together etc.

I housed them initially in an old "Bull Box" that I had available and they seemed happy enough. I made arrangements to visit Andy Lowes establishment to view the breeding arrangements etc. for myself. I joined the NPA and promptly purchased ten rings of the correct size. Wasn't I being ambitious, I thought it was just a matter of ringing them at the correct time.

CONTINUED IN THE OCTOBER ISSUE